Regulatory testing will begin in the next few days to ensure the battery is optimised and meets AEMO and South Australian Government requirements, before operation commences on Dec. 1.

Tesla’s Australian Powerpack, now the world’s biggest lithium ion battery.

Image: Timothy Artman/tesla

Representatives from Tesla, French renewable energy company Neoen and Adelaide engineering firm Consolidated Power Projects will join South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill next week to officially launch the battery.

Connected to Neoen’s Hornsdale Wind Farm near Jamestown, three hours’ drive from Adelaide, the Powerpack system is an attempt to alleviate some of the state’s severe energy issues.

The Powerpack system aims to “stabilise the South Australian grid” and supply enough power for over 30,000 homes, which is about equal to the amount of homes that lost power in September.

In March 2017, the State Government announced a plan to create a A$150 million (US$114 million) fund made to support renewable energy projects. Tesla was selected from over 90 competitive bids to provide the entire energy storage component for Neoen’s Hornsdale Wind Farm.

“While others are just talking, we are delivering our energy plan, making South Australia more self-sufficient, and providing back up power and more affordable energy for South Australians this summer,” said Premier Jay Weatherill in a media statement.

“The world’s largest lithium ion battery will be an important part of our energy mix, and it sends the clearest message that South Australia will be a leader renewable energy with battery storage.”